Romantic Oxford for Couples

Romantic Oxford for couples

Oxford suits a quiet weekend for two: a river, walled gardens, college grounds and a handful of old pubs and dining rooms. Prices below are in pounds sterling, and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

A chauffeured punt

Magdalen Bridge Boathouse offers a chauffeured punt for about £50 per 30 minutes, with room for up to four people. Someone else does the poling, so you can sit back. The boathouse is open daily until 30 November, from 09:30 to 21:00 or an hour before sunset. Book through the boathouse site .

Oxford Botanic Garden

The walled garden and its glasshouses are open daily. Hours are 10:00 to 16:00 from November to February, 10:00 to 17:00 in March, April, September and October, and 10:00 to 18:00 from May to August. Last entry is an hour before closing, and the glasshouses can close for maintenance. Check the garden’s opening hours page and the current ticket price before you go. A joint ticket with Magdalen College is £17 for adults.

Magdalen College

Magdalen’s grounds include Addison’s Walk and deer. Adult entry is £10, and the college takes cards only. It is open daily from 10:00 until dusk or 17:00, and until 18:30 from July to September. See the Magdalen visitor page for closures.

Port Meadow and The Perch

Port Meadow is free and flat, with horses and cattle grazing. Walk across it to The Perch at Binsey, a thatched pub with a garden. Meadow paths flood in winter, so this is a spring and summer outing.

Dinner ideas

Book ahead for all of these, and check current opening times:

  • The Turf Tavern, Bath Place: a medieval pub with a courtyard.
  • Gee’s, 61 to 63 Banbury Road: a restaurant in a Victorian conservatory.
  • Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant, Bardwell Road: open all year except 24 to 30 December.
  • Quod, Old Bank Hotel, 92 to 94 High Street.

A literary evening

The Lamb and Flag at 12 St Giles is a community-run pub that reopened in October 2022. The Eagle and Child across the road at 49 St Giles is closed, with reopening expected in 2027 and no date announced. It is worth a look from the pavement as the Inklings’ former haunt.

Where to stay

Central hotels are dearer in term time and on graduation weekends, so book early. Compare rooms on Booking.com .

Read more: couple activities in Oxford .